Chapter 147 - The President’s Spending Habits (Part 2)
I said my goodbyes to my sister and hopped on my bike to head over to Buladesh Company, which has a store on Central Avenue. This place specializes in high-end four-wheeled vehicles among other magical transport devices. I swung by on a whim since it was on the way back.
I parked my bike out front and walked in confidently, acting like I belonged.
"Welcome, Yukarinowe-sama. It’s been a while."
"Thank you, it has been a while. Is Buladesh around?"
The usual concierge led me to the reception room in the back. I hadn’t announced my visit, but it seemed like I’d catch him.
While I waited alone, I munched on some tea and snacks. The president eventually arrived, looking a bit flustered and busy.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Don’t worry, I understand you’re busy. Looks like things are really picking up, huh?"
"Well, yeah... We’ve been getting inquiries from the Royal Capital about the armored cars. It’s great to have so many orders, but it’s also really hectic."
The armored cars were my idea, and they’ve become quite popular among the wealthy. Especially since Balgar Clad, the head of the Clad Family, uses one, they’ve become well-known in Exembra. Other members of the Five Great Families, nobles, and wealthy merchants have been flocking to Buladesh Company for orders. It’s practically a trend now.
With orders coming in from the Royal Capital as well, it’s no wonder things are busy. Other companies are trying to copy us, but as the pioneers, we’ve built a solid reputation. We must be getting a lot of inquiries from competitors too.
While I’m not one to interfere in business matters, it might be easier to create a basic model rather than customizing everything. But since you deal with regular four-wheelers, I’m sure you’ve thought about that.
Besides, this store is supported by the Clad Family. It wouldn’t be right for me to get too involved.
"By the way, don’t forget about the order I placed. It’s been quite a while."
I ordered a small armored car a while back, but it’s been taking forever. The only armored car I have is the massive Delta, which is a pain to handle.
"I apologize for the delay. Seeing you here is a stroke of luck, actually. I have a favor to ask."
What could it be? I don’t think there’s much I can do...
I encouraged him to speak up.
"To be honest, I’m having some financial troubles. We need a lot of special materials and more craftsmen to meet the demand. Bulk orders for materials would be cheaper, but we can’t afford the upfront cost, so we’re stuck with smaller, more cumbersome orders. This has made the process extremely stressful. I’m constantly explaining delays and trying to improve our financial situation. If you could provide some investment, it would be a huge help."
Another money request.
Hm, the profit per unit should be high, but you need more capital to produce them efficiently. I don’t want to get too involved, but I do have a position to consider.
"Have you talked to the Clad Family? You’ll run into trouble if you don’t smooth things over with them."
I generally don’t shy away from conflict, but I don’t want to deal with unnecessary drama. The Kikyo Society is busy enough as it is.
"Of course, I’ve spoken to them. Balgar Clad has provided personal assistance, but it was all used for equipment. I can’t keep asking for money, can I?"
"That’s true, but if I provide the funds, it should be fine, right? This store is supported by the Clad Family."
"Indeed. However, Balgar Clad also suggested that if funds run short, I could approach the Kikyo Society."
Why me? Sigh.
"I don’t do charity or lending, you know?"
"That’s not what I’m asking. It would be a personal loan. I understand it might be risky as an organization, but it’s just between us. I’ll pay it back with interest. What do you think?"
I don’t like lending money, but this isn’t about living expenses. It’s a business deal. If I lend the money, it will be used for materials and labor. It’s hard to verify the financials, but on the surface, this store is doing well. They were already wealthy, and the armored cars have boosted their reputation and popularity. But black insolvency is a real thing. Even if the books look good, if the cash flow dries up, the business can fail.
Buladesh must consider the risk of order cancellations and lost customers. That’s why they need the capital to get things back on track. Once they do, they’ll be in a much better position to make a profit.
If this is a personal matter, I can make a decision here. I’ve already invested in several workshops and even in loss-making ventures for fun.
In the end, one more investment won’t make a difference, especially since Balgar Clad has already approved it. It’s a loan with a good return and a long-standing relationship. There’s no reason to say no.
"Depending on the amount, term, and interest rate, I might be able to lend you some. I’d like to hear more details first, though."
"Great! I’m sorry, but can we meet again soon? I need to prepare some documents, and I have other commitments today. I’ll send you some potential dates."
I was just stopping by to check things out, so I didn’t have any preparations.
"Sure. Let’s discuss the details later."
Buladesh’s expression brightened immediately. Money talks.
Still, even with the interest, it’s another expense...
On my way back, I cruised down Central Avenue on my bike, snacking and stopping by shops that caught my eye. I tend to buy small items on a whim. There aren’t many accessory or magical device stores on Sixth Avenue, but the few that are there have some unique items. I have a particular weakness for magical accessories that double as jewelry. When I see something, I often buy it, even if it’s expensive.
While I can make decent accessories myself, they don’t match the quality of a skilled craftsman’s work, and I can’t make magical devices.
When I visited my secret favorite high-end accessory store, I was greeted like a valued customer.
"This bracelet is made from the finest materials sourced from the great northern kingdom of Berliza. It’s a unique, high-quality piece with intermediate-level magic. The materials include highly refined Orichalcum, which is incredibly light and offers excellent anti-magic properties."
As a valued customer, I’m always shown the best items in a private room.
While the lengthy explanation can be a bit much, the product is truly exceptional.
The bracelet is made of the highest-grade Orichalcum, which is extremely light and offers superior anti-magic protection. The magic imbued is a mid-level healing spell, which is both rare and highly useful. It even has an engraving spell that provides significant protection against poisons. It’s a remarkable item.
It feels more like something a noble would commission rather than a mass-produced item.
I was curious why such a piece was available for sale, but if it’s on the shelf, it’s available to anyone who can pay.
While the magical properties aren’t particularly useful to me, I was drawn to something else.
The intricate design on the slender bracelet is breathtaking. The delicate lace-like metalwork is so fine that it seems impossible to have been made by human hands. I’ve trained in mineral magic and can create detailed items, but the craftsmanship of this piece is unmatched. It’s truly captivating.
This is what you get from the great northern kingdom of Berliza, known for its advanced magical technology. A skilled craftsman from there must have made it. It could be a valuable reference for my own training.
The store attendant continued her explanation.
"Moreover, the craftsman who made this bracelet is also employed by the infamous Fourth Princess, known as Akki. After lengthy negotiations, we finally managed to secure it..."
Wait, wait, Akki’s craftsman?!
The Fourth Princess of Berliza, known as Akki, is a wild and adventurous princess whose deeds are a breath of fresh air in a male-dominated society. She has fans worldwide, and I’m one of them.
"I’ll take it!"
"This is a very expensive item... Really, you’re buying it?"
"Yes, I’ll take it. It’s mine now."
"I’ll call the manager right away. Please wait a moment!"
The store likely didn’t expect anyone to buy such a high-end item on the spot. It’s probably more of a showpiece to demonstrate the store’s quality and connections.
The manager, a familiar face, soon arrived.
"Thank you for your patronage, Yukarinowe-sama. We have a few concerns about the item we showed you..."
"Unless you’re telling me it’s not for sale, I’m happy to help with any concerns."
First, they wanted to confirm if I was serious about buying it. Even for a regular customer like me, a high-end item deserves some verification.
It turned out they hadn’t expected anyone to buy it immediately. The real reason they bought it was to show off to their high-end customers and distinguish themselves from other luxury stores. Just as I thought.
What they wanted from me was to wait a while before taking the item. They wanted to display it as a sold item to achieve their goals. This way, they could still use it to promote the store, and the sale would help them buy more items like it. It’s a win-win.
I was in a good mood, so I agreed to their request and left the store.
"Thank you for your visit, Yukarinowe-sama. We look forward to seeing you again."
The entire staff saw me off as I hopped onto my Bloomstar Galaxy and rode away.
Spending a fortune on that bracelet was worth it. No regrets at all!
While my basic salary from the Kikyo Society is zero due to penalties, I have other income sources. I’ve been making a lot of money by creating magic potions for wealthy clients, though I’m taking a break from gambling. Even after paying half to the Kikyo Society as tax, I still have a substantial amount left.
I’ve spent a fair bit of my savings, but I’m still doing fine. More than fine!
I apologize for the length. This chapter is the middle part, and what was supposed to be a two-part story has turned into three parts. The final part will be shorter and is scheduled to be posted soon.